More Men's Health Questions

After the posting of "Top 5 Men's Health Questions," further research indicated 5 more pressing questions that men are asking about their total health. Read on!

How Should a Man Train for a Marathon?

To properly prepare for a marathon, you should run for 3-4 months of training. When you begin training, be sure that you can run at least 5 miles first. (This is more manageable than you think!)

There are two basic strategies of how to run a marathon:

- Run the entire time of the marathon at a slow pace.

- Alternate running and walking portions of the race. In this strategy, you usually walk through the water stations instead of running through them to rest your body.

What Is the Best Way for a Man to Deal with Stress?

When men are under great stress or in poor health, they are often challenged by five false assumptions: "it's too hard," "it's not fair," "it's not what I want," "I'm too tired," or "I'm the only one." Use these truths to conquer each thought pattern!

The man who says "it's too hard" has diverted his focus to complaining instead of to accomplishing his goal; he needs to press on to achieve it.

The man who thinks "it's not fair" is whining! Rather than complaining about fairness, he needs to take the opportunity to make something good happen.

"It's not what I want" reveals selfishness. Men must remember that when life does not deal us what we want, it's not necessarily 'bad,' just reality.

When a man is stretched by stress and lack of sleep, "I'm too tired" is a tempting justification to give up, but he must push through.

Finally, a man faces the battle of thinking "I'm the only one" dealing with stressful issues of life. A group of men working together for a common purpose can accomplish much, but when a man becomes isolated, he is weaker.

What Is My Adam's Apple?

A man's adam's apple is actually his larynx or voice box that has enlarged during puberty. As his larynx grows, his voice voice becomes deeper. The term "adam's apple" refers to the Bible story about Adam and Eve eating a forbidden fruit thought to be an apple.

Is There a Difference between Trans Fat and Other Forms of Fat?

Trans fat is the common name for a type of unsaturated fat with trans isomer fatty acid.

Most trans fats consumed today are industrially created by partially hydrogenating plant oils - a process first commercialized as Crisco. Partial hydrogenation adds hydrogen atoms to unsaturated fats, making them more saturated. These more saturated fats have a higher melting point, making them attractive for baking and extending their shelf-life.

Regular saturated fat, however, is fat that consists of triglycerides containing only fatty acids fully saturated with hydrogen atoms.

Foods that contain a high proportion of saturated fat are butter, dairy products (especially cream and cheese) and meat.

Unlike regular saturated fats and other dietary fats, trans fats are neither required nor beneficial for men's health; they are considered a health risk. Eating trans fats increases the risk of coronary heart disease. For these reasons, health authorities worldwide recommend that consumption of trans fat be reduced to trace amounts.

How Can I Provide Dental Care for My Family and I?

There are three dental care options for men and their families: PPO, HMO, and discount plans.

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) insurance is the most expensive because it provides coverage at any dentist. This dental insurance also provides the highest payout to dentists.

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) insurance is not as expensive as PPO insurance but still is not cheap. Since HMOs are only available for groups, savings are typically better than the PPO.

Discount Dental Plans are usually the best investment for men's health and the health of their families. Over 10 million people across the US are on discount plans and the older ones have been around for over 30 years. Since dental plans operate by fixed agreement between dental offices and the company, they are cheaper for men and their families and often provide the nation's maximum savings.

Conclusion

Health is not all that a man has, but it certainly impacts all other areas of his life! The questions men are asking about their health indicate that a man's state of health can either slow him down or empower him. Often consistent exercise, good eating habits, regular trips to the dental office and proper care of his family can prolong and energize a man's life.